Device for protecting, displaying and using a coin for standard ornamentation purposes

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device that is employed to protect, display and use a coin, comprising a base structure  2  consisting of first and second circular parts which are interconnected by a connecting element, by means of which the base structure  2  can be folded so that the first and second parts are facing one another. According to the invention, coin support means, which are adapted to the diameter of said coin, are disposed in the base structure  2  and comprise two stacked identical inner rings  5  which define an opening that is intended to house the coin. The diameter of the opening in the aforementioned inner rings  5  is slightly greater than the internal diameter of the first and second parts of the base structure  2.  In this way, each inner ring defines a non-covered inner circular area on one of the first or second parts of the base structure  2,  said area forming an outer support lip  7.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device that is employed to protect, displayand use a coin, comprising a base structure consisting of first andsecond parts which are linked by a connecting element, at the level ofwhich the base structure can be folded so as to bring the first andsecond parts to face one another. Coin support means, which are adaptedto the diameter of the coin, are disposed in the base structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The devices known for preserving a coin generally comprise a case ofprotection with a glass frame, in which the coin is laid out such asdescribed in the document U.S. Pat. No. 3,100,567. Some known devices,such as the one described in the document U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,214 adaptto various diameters of coins by means of a ring whose internal andexternal diameters are adapted respectively to the coin and to theinternal frame of the case.

The majority of the known devices only allow the protection of the coin,and not its everyday use. Thus, the structure of such devices isgenerally rigid and comprises closing systems that work by screwing,interlocking, or fitting.

However, these devices are not easy to implement and cannot always bereopened in a simple and reliable way. Other systems have a simplestructure, but are not able to ensure a sufficient protection of a coin,when the latter is meant for everyday use.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the invention is a device that is employed to protect,display and use a coin, and that is easy to implement and able to adaptto different diameters and thicknesses of coins. This device can beopened easily while allowing a reliable closing.

According to the invention, this goal is reached by the fact that:

-   -   The first and the second parts are annular with a predetermined        internal diameter,    -   support means comprise two identical superimposed internal        rings, which define an opening that is intended to house the        coin. The diameter of the opening in the aforementioned internal        rings is slightly greater than the internal diameter of the        first and second parts of the base structure. In this way, each        internal ring defines a non-covered annular area on one of the        first or second parts of the base structure, said area forming        an outer support lip,    -   closing systems enclose at least one zone of the periphery of        the device.

According to a development of the invention, the device comprises anannular adaptive structure with an opening to contain a coin whosediameter is smaller than the internal diameter of the first and theseconds parts, said adaptive structure is meant to be placed in theopening of the two internal rings.

According to a preferential mode of realization, the periphery of theadaptive structure comprises lugs, diametrically opposed, which adapt tocavities present in the internal rings. This avoids the rotation of theadaptive structure in the internal rings.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the devicecomprises two interposition rings respectively arranged on the two facesof the adaptive structure, the internal diameter of said interpositionrings is inferior to the internal diameter of the adaptive structure inorder to form internal lips.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages and characteristics will stand out more clearly fromthe description, which will follow, of particular modes of realizingthis invention. These non-restrictive examples are represented in thedrawings annexed, in which:

FIG. 1 represents a particular mode of realization of a device accordingto the invention, in open position.

FIG. 2 is a cross-section of a device according to the invention, inclosed position.

FIG. 3 represents a base structure of a device according to theinvention.

FIG. 4 represents an internal ring of a device according to theinvention.

FIGS. 5 and 6 represent adaptive structures of different diameters of adevice according to the invention.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are respectively, a front view of compensation joint and across-section of a compensation joint arranged on a part of the deviceaccording to the invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-section of a closing element of a device according tothe invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of a device according to theinvention comprising closing elements as in FIG. 9.

FIGS. 11 and 12 represent, in front view, various modes of realizationof a device according to the invention, in closed position.

DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR MODES OF REALIZATION

As shown in FIG. 1, a device 1 for protecting, displaying and using acoin consists of a base structure 2 whose role is to contain and protecta coin and which is able to pass from an open position (FIG. 1) to aclosed position (FIGS. 2 and 10). As shown in FIG. 3, the base structure2 is composed of first and second annular parts 3 a and 3 b linked by aconnecting element 4. To switch to a closed position, the base structure2 is folded according to an axis A1, at the level of the connectingelement 4, so as to bring the first and second annular parts 3 a and 3 bto face one another.

The device also comprises coin support means adapted to the diameter ofthe coin and arranged in the base structure 2. The support meanscomprise two identical superimposed internal rings 5 (FIG. 4), whichdefine an opening 6, intended to house a coin. The internal rings 5 arelaid out between the first and the second annular parts 3 a and 3 b whenthe base structure 2 is closed (FIG. 2). The diameter d1 of the opening6 of the internal rings 5 is slightly greater than the internal diameterd2 of the first and the second annular parts 3 a and 3 b and theexternal diameter d3 of the internal rings 5 is equal to the externaldiameter of the annular parts 3 a and 3 b (FIGS. 3 and 4). Thus, whenthe two internal rings 5 are put between the first and second annularparts 3 a and 3 b, each internal ring 5 defines, on one of the first orsecond annular parts 3 a and 3 b, a non-covered internal annular area.Each internal annular area forms an outer annular support lip 7 (FIG. 1)which maintains, in the base structure 2, the support means and thecoin. Each internal ring 5 can also comprise two cavities 8diametrically opposed, and whose shape is appreciably circular.

For a coin with a diameter inferior to the internal diameter d2 of thefirst and second parts 3 a and 3 b, the device 1 comprises, preferably,an annular adaptive structure 9, like the one shown in FIG. 5. Thisadaptive structure 9 is meant to be placed in the opening 6 of the twointernal rings 5. The adaptive structure 9 comprises an opening 9 awhose purpose is to contain the coin. The diameter d4 of the opening 9 aof the adaptive structure 9 corresponds appreciably to the diameter ofthe coin and the external diameter d5 of the adaptive structure isappreciably equal to the diameter d1 of the opening 6 of the internalrings 5. the periphery of the adaptive structure 9 comprises,preferably, two lugs 10 diametrically opposed and protruding towards theexterior of the adaptive structure 9, and preferably with an appreciablycircular shaped section. The purpose of the lugs 10 is to correspondwith cavities 8 of the two internal rings 5 in order to avoid therotation of the adaptive structure 9 inside the internal rings 5. Asshown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the internal diameter d4 of the adaptivestructure 9 is adapted to the diameter of the coin that the adaptivestructure must contain.

The device comprises, preferably, at least one protection interface 11,disposed in the opening 6 of the internal superimposed rings 5, so as tocompletely cover one face of the coin. Thus, on FIG. 2, two protectioninterfaces 11 are arranged on both sides of the adaptive structure 9, inopening 6 of the internal superimposed rings 5. The two internal rings 5have a thickness allowing to contain at least the protection interface11 and the adaptive structure 9. The protection interfaces 11 are madeof low thickness discs, for example, of glass or plastic. They arepreferably rigid, removable and interchangeable. The diameter of theprotection interfaces 11 is appreciably equal to the diameter d1 of theopening 6 of the two internal rings 5. Thus, each protection interface11 is arranged in an internal ring 5 so as to protect the coin. When thebase structure 2 is closed, the unit formed by internals rings 5, theadaptive structure 9 and the two protection interfaces 11 is retained bythe outer annular support lips 7 of the base structure 2.

According to an alternative of the design, at least one compensationjoint 12 used to compensate the difference in thickness between thecoins to be presented, as the one shown in FIG. 7, can be arranged incentral circumference of the opening 9 a of the adaptive structure 9, sothat the compensation joint covers the rim, or the beads around the edgewhen there is no rim, of the coin contained in the adaptive structure 9(FIG. 8). The compensation joint can be circular, toric or with flatfaces. The width of the full part of the joint is appreciably adapted tothe rim of the coin and its external diameter corresponds appreciably tothe diameter d4 of the opening 9 a of the adaptive structure 9.

The compensation joint 12 thus blocks the coin within the device byexerting a pressure perpendicular to the plane of the coin, at the levelof the rim, without the need for a lateral pressure on the walls of theadaptive structure 9.

The device can also comprise interposition rings. Thus, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 8, two interposition rings 13 are respectively arrangedbetween the adaptive structure 9 and the protection interfaces 11. Theinterposition rings 13 have an external diameter equal to that of theadaptive structure 9, and an internal diameter inferior to the diameterof the opening 9 a of the adaptive structure 9. Thus, each interpositionring 13 comprises a free internal annular area constituting an internallip 14, protruding towards the interior of the adaptive structure 9,when the interposition ring 13 is arranged between the adaptivestructure 9 and one of the protection interfaces 11 (FIG. 2). Theinternal lips 14 block the coin within the adaptive structure 9. Theinternal diameter of the interposition rings 13 corresponds preferablyand appreciably to the diameter of the coin minus the width of the rimor of the beads around the edge if there is no rim. Thus, the internallips 14 of the interposition rings 13 cover the rim, or the beads aroundthe edge of the coin on all its circumference. The interposition rings13 make it possible to mask the compensation joints 12 when these arearranged on the rim of the coin. The interposition rings 13 also preventcontact between the coin and the protection interfaces 11, and allow,with or without the compensation joints, to immobilize the coin withinthe adaptive structure. Thus, the coin can neither turn nor movecrosswise in the opening 9 a of the adaptive structure 9, and thisallows the coin to be maintained in the correct position for reading.

The device 1 is maintained in closed position by reversible closingsystems enclosing at least a zone of the periphery of the base structure2. The closing systems can comprise at least one curved structure 15with a U-shaped section, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

The curved structure 15 is relatively flexible in order to enclose atleast a zone of the periphery of the base structure 2, by embedding andby pressure. The closing structure 15 can also enclose the periphery ofthe protection interfaces 11 which are located under the outer supportlips 7, and this so as to add rigidity to the device in closed position.The curve of the curved structure 15 is equal to that of the basestructure 2. The internal height H of the curved structure 15 and thethickness of the device in closed position, are appreciably equal (FIG.12). At least one of the internal lateral walls of each curved structure15 can comprise a blocking lug 16 meant to correspond with a cavity 17formed in the base structure 2. This makes it possible to ensure abetter immobility of the closing system by a reversible enshriningeffect. Thus, as shown in FIG. 9, the curved structure 15 has two lugs16 which face one another.

In FIG. 10, the reversible closing systems comprise three curvedstructures 15, as the one shown in FIG. 9, and the first and secondannular parts 3 a and 3 b of the base structure 2 comprise,respectively, three cavities 17, evenly spaced. The curved elements 15enclose the folded base structure 2 and each lug 16 cooperates with acavity of the base structure 2. The closing systems thus allow pressureto be exerted on the base structure, leading to a pinch effect on theedges of the external faces of the base structure 2. This makes itpossible to transform the device into an integral and closed unit, sothat the coin cannot extract itself from the device.

As shown in FIG. 11, a seam point 18 can be made by stitching on theconnecting element 4 of the base structure 2, when the latter is folded.Thus the base structure remains in half-closed position while allowingan opening like a bivalve. The seam point nevertheless avoids a toolarge opening of the first and second annular parts 3 a and 3 b due to aspring effect.

A space 19 can be made in the connecting element 4 of the folded basestructure 2. Thus, the device can comprise a suspension system such as aring to form, for example a key-ring, or to convert the device intoanother presentation means by fixing or hanging the device to any typeof known presentation support. In FIG. 11, the space 19 is defined bythe seam point 18.

For example, a device represented in FIG. 12, comprises a folded basestructure in which are laid out two internal superimposed rings andwhich comprise three cavities 17, the purpose of these cavities is theclosing of the device. An adaptive structure 9, as the one shown in FIG.5, is laid out in the opening of the two superimposed rings and thisadaptive structure comprises, in its centre, a coin 20, and on itsfaces, an interposition ring 13. Three closing elements 15 enclose theperiphery of the base structure so as to close the device, and a seampoint 18 is made on the connecting element 4 of the base structure.

A device according to the invention has the advantage of adapting to anytype of coin, namely to coins having different thicknesses anddiameters. It also makes it possible to protect the two faces of a coinagainst external elements but also against the supports means containedin the device. Moreover, the device makes it possible to maintain thecoin efficiently in the centre of the device, in a correct position forreading, while ensuring a secure and reversible closing. The productionof such a device is easy to realize, the various elements of the devicecan be realized by all types of known methods, for example by cuttingout and stamping. The device can be made out of all kinds of knownmaterial for example leather, plastic for the protection interface andthin steel for the embedded closing element.

The invention is not limited to the modes of realization describedabove. Thus, a coin with a larger diameter than the internal diameter d2of the first and second parts 3 a and 3 b can be laid out directlybetween the two internal rings 5, without requiring the adaptivestructure 9.

In this case, the diameter of the opening 6 of the internal rings 5 isappreciably equal to the diameter of the coin to be presented, and twointerposition rings 13 can be laid out respectively in centralcircumference of the internal superimposed rings 5, this on both sidesof the coin. The internal diameter of said interposition rings 13 isthen smaller than the diameter of opening 6 of the internal rings 5. Thedevice can also comprise at least a compensation joint 12 laid out incentral circumference of the internal rings' 5 opening 6. The joint isintended to compensate for the difference in thickness of the coins, byfilling the free interval between the rim and an interposition ring 13and/or between the interposition ring and the protection interface 11,or between the rim and the protection interface. This joint can thus belaid out between the rim of the coin and the interposition rings 13and/or between the interposition ring and a protection interface, orbetween the rim and a protection interface. The joints are thus maskedby the first outer lips of the base structure 2.

1. Device that is employed to protect, display and use a coin,comprising a base structure (2) consisting of first and second parts (3a, 3 b) linked by a connecting element (4) at the level of which thebase structure (2) can be folded to bring the first and second parts (3a, 3 b) to face one another, support means of a coin (20) adapted to thediameter of the coin and are laid out in the base structure (2), device(1) characterized in that: the first and second parts (3 a, 3 b) areannular with a predetermined internal diameter (d2), the support meanscomprise two internal identical superimposed rings (5) defining anopening (6) intended to contain the coin (20), the diameter (d1) of theopening (6) of the internal rings (5) being slightly greater than theinternal diameter (d2) of the first and second parts (3 a, 3 b) of thebase structure (2), so that each internal ring (5) defines on one of thefirst or second parts (3 a, 3 b) of the base structure (2) a non-coveredinternal annular area that constitutes an outer support lip (7), closingsystems enclose at least a zone of the periphery of the device (1). 2.Device according to the claim 1, characterized in that the devicecomprises at least a compensation joint (12) laid out in centralcircumference of the opening (6) of the internal rings (5).
 3. Deviceaccording to one of the claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the devicecomprises at least two interposition rings (13) respectively laid out incentral circumference of the internal superimposed rings (5), theinternal diameter of said interposition rings (13) being smaller thanthe diameter of the opening (6) of the internal rings (5).
 4. Deviceaccording to the claim 1, characterized in that the device comprises anannular adaptive structure (9) comprising an opening (9 a) intended tocontain a coin (20) with a diameter smaller than the internal diameter(d2) of the first and second annular parts (3 a, 3 b), said adaptivestructure (9) being intended to be placed in the opening (6) of the twointernal rings (5).
 5. Device according to the claim 4, characterized inthat the periphery of the adaptive structure (9) comprises two lugs (10)diametrically opposed and meant to correspond with cavities (8) formedin the internal rings (5), in order to avoid rotation of the adaptivestructure (9) in the internal rings (5).
 6. Device according to one ofthe claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the device comprises twointerposition rings (13) respectively laid out on the two faces of theadaptive structure (9), the internal diameter of said interpositionrings (13) is smaller than the internal diameter (d4) of the adaptivestructure (9) in order to form internal lips (14).
 7. Device accordingto any claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the device comprises atleast a compensation joint (12) laid out in central circumference of theopening (9 a) of the adaptive structure (9).
 8. Device according to anyclaims 4 to 7, characterized in that the device comprises at least aprotection interface (11) laid out in the opening (6) of the twointernal superimposed rings (5), so as to cover the coin (20)completely.
 9. Device according to any claims 1 to 8, characterized inthat closing systems comprise at least a curved element (15) having aU-shaped section and intended to enclose at least a zone of theperiphery of the base structure (2), by embedding and by pressure. 10.Device according to the claim 9, characterized in that the curvedelement (15) comprises at least a blocking lug (16) intended tocorrespond with a cavity (17) formed in the base structure (2). 11.Device according to any claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the basestructure (2), in folded position, comprises at the level of theconnection element (4) a seam point (18) made by stitching, intended tomaintain the first and second annular parts (3 a, 3 b) opposite oneanother, in order to obtain a half-closed base structure (2) like abivalve.
 12. Device according to any claims 1 to 11, characterized inthat the base structure (2), in folded position, comprises a space (19)made in the connecting element (4).
 13. Device according to the claim12, characterized in that the device comprises a suspension systemintroduced into the space (19) made in the connecting element (4) of thebase structure (2).